From entertainment and philanthropy to business and civics, the number of legends who have come out of Orange County is being commemorated with the second class of inductees to the OC Hall of Fame.
The OC Board of Supervisors established Orange County’s very own Hall of Fame last fall, with singer Gwen Stefani and Olympians Greg Louganis and Amanda Beard making appearances at the induction ceremony to celebrate their recognition in the inaugural class.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the next 10 people to be added were announced, including former President Richard Nixon, Sylvia Mendez, a key figure in the Mendez v. Westminster Supreme Court case that desegregated California schools, and former county supervisor and founder of the Good Samaritan Boy’s Center and Orangewood Children’s Home, William Steiner. Steiner, who died in 2022, was also recognized earlier this month with an Orange street renamed in his honor.
“I’m proud to announce the second annual class of the Orange County Hall of Fame,” Third District Supervisor Don Wagner said in a statement. “After numerous meetings and nominations from each of our supervisors, we have selected 10 honorees from a wide range of backgrounds that epitomize Orange County’s richness in character and is a reflection of its vibrant spirit. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to us all, showcasing the very best of what Orange County has to offer.”
Two of the inductees have been long-time advocates of veterans and remembering their military service: U.S. Marine Corps veteran and chairman of VALOR Nick Berardino and Ed Paul, a community leader who for years with the American Veterans Memorial Association has helped honor service with a Memorial Day ceremony in Fullerton.
From Orange County’s business world, Carl Karcher, founder of Carl’s Jr., Wing Lam and the Lee family, co-founders of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, and Charlie Zhang, founder of Pick Up Stix and philanthropist, will be honored in the next Hall of Fame induction.
The Hall of Fame also pays tribute to artists and entertainers from Orange County who have gone on to fame and influence. This year, Leo Fender, the inventor of the first commercially successful electric guitar and innovator of several amplifiers and instruments who lived most of his life in Fullerton, and award-winning actress Michele Pfeiffer, who went to Fountain Valley High School, will join the wall of honorees at the Orange County Civic Center.
To be eligible for the county’s Hall of Fame, one must have a minimum of 10 years as a resident or business owner in the county, have had one major life experience or won a big award in Orange County, or be a civic leader. A Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee is created each year by the Board of Supervisors to consider and choose the latest class of inductees.
This year, the committee consisted of Wagner and Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee. Supervisors are able to nominate five individuals or businesses that meet the criteria.
“These individuals have made significant contributions to our community, shaping the cultural, political, economic, and social fabric of Orange County,” Chaffee said of the honorees in a statement. “We are proud to celebrate their legacy and to recognize the diverse talents and accomplishments that make Orange County such a vibrant and dynamic place to live.”
The inaugural inductees also included Walt Disney; LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant; professional golfer Tiger Woods; singer Bill Medley; Frank Jao, developer and owner of Asian Garden Mall; William Lyon, an Air Force major general who became a leading housing developer in the county; and Henry Segerstrom, developer of South Coast Plaza, philanthropist and founding chairman of Segerstrom Center of the Arts.
A date for the induction ceremony will be announced at a later time, officials said.
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